At a press conference on the Big Island on Tuesday, authorities said they found a composition book near Johnson's body. In three handwritten pages, the writer -- who identified himself as Johnson -- confessed to strangling Royal while involved in a domestic dispute and to throwing her body into the ocean. He also indicated his intention to end his life.

A private forensic laboratory confirmed the identity by comparing DNA from the body with a known sample of Johnson's DNA. Johnson’s identity was also confirmed using dental records.

A forensic document examiner determined that the writing in the composition book came from Johnson.

The medical examiner has ruled out foul play in Johnson's death.

Royal's body was found entangled in fishing lines in waters offshore of Kalapana on May 28.

Julie Spahn-Royal, Brittany's mother, told KITV on Tuesday, "I'm relieved at this point just to have some answers."

"The loss of Brittany is something we're learning to live with," said Royal.

"When you raise a child you never imagine your grand-daughter can precede you leaving this world," said Jerry Spahn, Royal's grand-father.

In July, police named Johnson as their primary suspect.

On Jan. 2, a man looking to purchase land in the Kalapana area discovered the partially decomposed remains in a wooded area in the kipuka.

It was not far from the campsite where Brittany Royal and Boaz Johnson had lived.

At what was believed to be Bo and Brittany's campsite, search warrants say, "...(officers) observed what appeared to be human hair and human tissue along the lava field leading in the makai direction."

About an hour later, officers "...were walking on a possible trail leading to a forested kipuka area in the makai direction when they observed a black colored backpack with a cell phone next to it and a knife with an approximately 5 inch blade next to the cell phone."

The search warrants go on to say, "...(one officer) observed what he believed to be an Alaska State identification with the name Boaz Johnson."

An autopsy confirmed the pregnant Royal had been strangled. What appeared to be rope marks around her neck matched the rope found at a campsite nearby.

The case is still officially open because detectives have minor follow-ups to conduct before the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney conducts a final review.

A.C. TAVARES - POLICE 0:18 "THE HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED THE ACTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO DEATH OF BRITTANY ROYAL. DETERMINED SHE WAS MURDERED BY BOAZ JOHNSON," Big Island Police say the body found in Kalapana is that of missing murder suspect 22-year-old Boaz Johnson. p Some major revelations today in a disturbing murder case on the Big Island. Good evening, I'm Paula Akana. KITV4's Kenny Choi has been following this story.. ...And spoke to the victim's mother today. ....Kenny? Police say Johnson... strangled his pregnant girlfriend with a rope after an altercation last May. For nearly a year, months of unanswered questions.. TODAY, finally the victim's family has some answers. Police believe 22-year old Boaz Johnson, murdered his 25 year old girlfriend Brittany Royal near their campsite in Kalapana.. Then hanged himself from a tree. A.C. TAVARES- BIG ISLAND POLICE 01:17 HE WAS IDENTIFIED THROUGDH DNA AND DENTAL RECORDS," Authorities say they found a composition book with three handwritten pages near Johnson's decomposing body, which was discovered on January 2nd. TAVARES- 01:31 THE WRITER IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS B JOHNSON CONFESSED TO STRANGLING BRITANY IN DISPUTE AND THROWING BODY TO OCEAN AND INDICATED INTENTION TO END LIFE," Royal's father and grandfather attended the press conference. JERRY SPAHN- BRITTANY GRANDFATHER 0:18 "when you raise a child you never imagine your grand daughter can precede you in this world," TED ROYAL - 00:26 THE LOSS OF BRITTANY IS SOMETHING WE'RE LEARNING TO LIVE WITH," Forensic experts confirmed the identity of Johnson using DNA and dental records and also determined the handwriting in the book to be that of Johnson's. Her mother spoke to KITV from her home in California. 10:37 THERE ARE GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS .. SOME DAYS I TALK TO BRITTANY. IT'S BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER FOR 8 MONTHS," Police also released some details of what made them focus on Johnson as a suspect. 02:23 AFTER BRITTANY BODY FOUND BOAZ SAID IN PHONE CONVERSATION WITH FRIEND THAT HE AND BRITTANY ON THEIR WAY TO HILO. THAT PHONE CALL AND DNA EVIDENCE MADE HIM SUSPECT IN BRITTANY'S MURDER. MOM- 11:58 "LIFE GOES ON, BUT IT'S DIFFERENT WITH BRITTANY NOT HERE. SHE WAS TAKEN AT THE HANDS OF ANOTHER PERSON," Royal's mother says family members will return to the Big Island next month and plan to visit the campsite where Royal lived. The medical examiner has ruled out foul play in

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